{"title":"Zone 3 Cherry Trees \u0026 Bushes","description":"\u003cp class=\"mft-zone-btn\" style=\"margin:0 0 16px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\" title=\"Our zones follow the MFTC Modified Zone Hardiness Scale. Comparing them to USDA averages will give you a discrepancy, so look up where these trees will be planted.\" style=\"display:inline-block;padding:11px 20px;border-radius:4px;background:#3e6b33;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3\"\u003eMFTC Zones, Not USDA Averages: Look Up Your Address →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen cherries for zone 3, listed A to Z. The ones rated only to 3b, the warmer half of the zone (-35°F to -30°F), have a 3b tag on them. Everything else is hardy through all of zone 3, down to -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore About Zone 3 Cherries\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardy through all of zone 3: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRated to 3b, the warmer half: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eBalaton\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e. Save these for a 3b site. If you're in the colder half (3a), skip the ones with the 3b tag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteor, Balaton, Black Gold, Lapins, Montmorency and White Gold are self-fertile. Joy sets some fruit alone and more with a partner. The rest need a second variety blooming at the same time. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003esweet cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003etart cherry\u003c\/a\u003e pollination maps show which ones bloom together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate bloomers, which give you better odds in a frost pocket: Black Gold, Gold and White Gold. For jam and jelly: Meteor, Balaton, Jan, Joel, Joy and Montmorency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther zones: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/zone-2-cherry-trees\"\u003eZone 2 Cherries\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/zone-3-fruit-trees\"\u003eEverything for Zone 3\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions We Get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat does zone 3 mean on your scale?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn our MFTC scale, zone 3 means the coldest night you should plan for (the 1-in-30-year low) falls between -40°F and -30°F. Zone 3a runs -40°F to -35°F and zone 3b runs -35°F to -30°F. That is colder than a USDA zone 3, which is built on the average yearly low, so run your address through our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e instead of going off a USDA map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I plant the 3b cherries in zone 3a?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe don't recommend it. A 3b rating means it has come through -35°F, not the -40°F a cold zone 3a winter can bring. Not sure which half you're in? Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e will tell you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I need two cherry plants?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot for Meteor, Balaton, Black Gold, Lapins, Montmorency and White Gold, which are self-fertile. The others do better with a partner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"black-gold-cherry-1","title":"Black Gold Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Gold Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 6 of 7, late for a sweet cherry), and it ripens about Jul 17 to Jul 29 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -33°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (700 to 1,000). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 6 of 7 (late), mid spring here. Black Gold is self-fertile and will crop on its own. Because it blooms late, it is the best pollenizer in our lineup for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, which also blooms late and needs a partner. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goldcherry-4aefh\"\u003eGold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 17 to Jul 29 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMazzard: full size, about 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Slow to bear, often 5 to 6 years. Mahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBlack Gold is one of the most cold-hardy sweet cherries, having survived temperatures as low as -33°F. We used to rank Black Gold third in cold hardiness amongst sweet cherries, only behind \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, but we've found that \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e actually surpasses Black Gold and White Gold in terms of winter survival. Still Black Gold has fared well in the cold compared to many other varieties of sweet cherries we've grown in MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile and Ideal Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThis cherry variety delivers a distinct sweet cherry flavor with notes of honey and a delightful splash of tanginess. It’s perfect for fresh eating and adds a delicious topping to ice cream. Black Gold typically ripens in July, making it a great summer treat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSelf-Fertility and Pollination Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eBlack Gold is a self-fertile variety, meaning it doesn’t require another cherry tree for pollination. However, it is also an excellent pollenizer for other sweet cherry varieties, earning the reputation of being a \"universal\" pollenizer. Its bloom time overlaps with many other sweet cherries, making it a valuable addition to any orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLate Blooming and Cold Climate Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eOne of the key advantages of Black Gold is its late blooming nature. This helps protect the tree from late spring frosts that can damage early-blooming varieties, making it ideal for colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDisease Resistance and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eThe fruit of Black Gold shows resistance to cracking, and the tree itself exhibits significant tolerance to canker, a common issue in cherry orchards. This makes Black Gold a must-have for anyone planting a Montana sweet cherry orchard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGrafting Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, our Black Gold cherries are grafted onto two full-size rootstocks, Mazzard and Mahaleb. Both come in a regular grade and a larger, more branched grade (all 5-7 ft. and pruned to 5 ft. for shipping).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of Hans Braxmeier under CC 2.0.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Black Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Black Gold Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Black Gold Sweet Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Black Gold is self-fertile and will crop on its own. Because it blooms late, it is the best pollenizer in our lineup for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, which also blooms late and needs a partner. Partners we carry include Gold Sweet Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Black Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Black Gold Sweet Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -33°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Black Gold Sweet Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Late bloom is Black Gold's big advantage in frosty valleys. Its chill need is moderate and easily met in Montana. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Black Gold Sweet Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 17 to Jul 29 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Black Gold Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Black Gold Sweet Cherry onto Mazzard (full size), which makes a tree roughly 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Mahaleb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Black Gold Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Black Gold Sweet Cherry are fresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Black Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Black Gold Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":42617082314818,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":42617082347586,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45152004767810,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":45152004800578,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/black-gold-sweet-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789019220"},{"product_id":"gold-sweet-cherry","title":"Gold Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 6 of 7, late for a sweet cherry).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -38°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (700 to 1,100). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 6 of 7 (late), mid spring here. Gold is not self-fertile, so plant a second sweet cherry that blooms late. Black Gold lines up best with it, and White Gold overlaps the front of its bloom. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eG12: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Gisela 12, bears very young. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePollenizing other trees (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry is one of our most reliable and productive cherry varieties. According to Bob Purvis, it is considered the hardiest of all sweet cherry cultivars, withstanding temperatures as low as -38°F in River Falls, WI. This variety is also an excellent pollenizer, making it a great companion for most other sweet cherry trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Survival\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e were the only sweet cherry varieties that survived our extreme -10°F fall temperature several years ago. This variety is easily one of the best performers in colder climates, as it can handle severe winter conditions better than most.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Characteristics and Ease of Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe fruit of Gold Cherry is firm, golden-yellow in color, and is known for its disease resistance and resistance to cracking. The yellow fruit is less attractive to birds, who tend to prefer red cherries, making Gold Cherry easier to protect and grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWith a hint of tang, Gold Cherry offers the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. It’s a great choice for first-time cherry growers and anyone looking to grow cherries in colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePollination and Yield\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry is not self-fertile, so it needs another sweet cherry that blooms late planted nearby to set fruit. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e lines up best with its bloom, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e overlaps the front of it. Lapins is another good partner, and we believe it's the second-hardiest sweet cherry we've grown, right behind Gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock, Spacing, and Cold Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese trees are grafted onto semi-standard Gisela 12, which is about as hardy as Gold will survive down to. We're unsure whether G12 can survive temperatures below -40°F. However, even if it can, its hardiness would ultimately be limited by Gold itself, which is only known to have survived down to -38°F, making the distinction moot. As for spacing, this entirely depends on the goals of the grower. If one is attempting a higher density system with more production per unit area, then 6-10 ft (or less if trellised). However, for most backyard growers, 15-18 ft. should be just fine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGold Cherry is hardy to USDA Zone 3b or Zone 3a in protected sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Gold Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Gold Sweet Cherry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Gold is not self-fertile, so plant a second sweet cherry that blooms late. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e lines up best with it, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e overlaps the front of its bloom. Partners we carry include Black Gold Sweet Cherry, White Gold Sweet Cherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Gold Sweet Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -38°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Gold Sweet Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,100. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. One of the hardiest sweet cherries, and a late bloomer. Montana's winters cover its chill with room to spare. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Gold Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Gold Sweet Cherry onto G12 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Gold Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Gold Sweet Cherry are pollenizing other trees (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Gold Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Gold Sweet Cherry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"G12 Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42499168862274,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"G12 Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45152019677250,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/gold-sweet-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"lapins-cherry","title":"Lapins Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lapins Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 2 of 7, early for a sweet cherry), and it ripens about Jul 25 to Aug 6 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -40°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 450 hours (400 to 600). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#lapins-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), mid spring here. Lapins is self-fertile and does not need a partner. It is one of the earliest sweet cherries to bloom, a few days ahead of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 25 to Aug 6 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMazzard: full size, about 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Slow to bear, often 5 to 6 years. Mahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"98\"\u003eLapins Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"98\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"600\"\u003eLapins Cherry is perhaps second only to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e in terms of cold hardiness. While many sources don't list it among the hardiest sweet cherries, we’ve updated our assessment based on years of experience and observations from growers in extreme conditions. After seeing one of our growers in Cowley, Wyoming, report no damage to his Lapins trees after experiencing temperatures as low as -33°F, and noting the performance of mature trees in the Bitterroot Valley, we consider Lapins to be hardy to Zone 3b, that can possibly even make it with some winter injury in zone 3a.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"602\" data-end=\"650\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Exceptional Performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"651\" data-end=\"1147\"\u003eWe previously ranked Gold, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eWhite Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e as the hardiest sweet cherries, but after firsthand experience, we’ve found that Lapins has performed better than Black Gold in extreme cold, and may either be just as hardy as White Gold, or even hardier. We've observed mature Lapins trees in the Bitterroot (one in Lolo, over 20 years old, and two others in Stevensville, over 30 years old) that have survived temperatures below -30°F, possibly even colder. This makes Lapins an excellent choice for fairly cold climates, where other varieties might be at risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003eThe Flathead Cherry Legacy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1182\" data-end=\"1579\"\u003eLapins is considered one of the main cherries grown in the Flathead region of northwest Montana, especially around beautiful Flathead Lake. Developed in British Columbia as a cross between Van and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stella-cherry\"\u003eStella\u003c\/a\u003e, Lapins has become a staple in the region. After the devastating winter of 1988–1989, Flathead cherry growers wisely replanted \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing cherries\u003c\/a\u003e with Lapins, and the variety has thrived ever since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1581\" data-end=\"1625\"\u003eFruit Characteristics and Improvements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1626\" data-end=\"1875\"\u003eLapins produces a dark, sweet cherry that is often compared to Bing, but with several notable improvements. The cherries are firmer and more resistant to splitting, making them easier to handle and less prone to damage during harvest or bad weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1877\" data-end=\"1904\"\u003ePollination and Yield\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"2172\"\u003eWhile Lapins is partially self-fertile due to its Stella parentage, it will benefit from cross-pollination with another cherry variety. For optimal results, plant Lapins with another compatible pollenizer such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier\u003c\/a\u003e, Van, Gold, White Gold, Black Gold, or Stella.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2208\"\u003eRootstock and Cold Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2209\" data-end=\"2394\"\u003eThese Lapins trees are grafted onto Mazzard full-size rootstock, which is hardy to -40°F in our experience seeing Lapins grafted onto Mazzard and surviving into the -30Fs, and surviving as a stand alone at -35F is Kalispell off of Rose Xing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2396\" data-end=\"2565\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eLapins is hardy to Zone 3b, withstanding temperatures as low as those recorded in the Bitterroot Valley. This makes it an excellent choice for growers in fairly cold regions. That said, still exercise caution when siting the tree, avoiding depressions and areas where frost can pool. If your area reliably sees temps below -35F, then either you could possibly try Gold (has survived -38F), or just stick with the dwarf cherries, although these are on the sweeter side of the tart cherry spectrum, but certainly not sweet cherries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Lapins Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Lapins Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Lapins Sweet Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Lapins is self-fertile and does not need a partner. It is one of the earliest sweet cherries to bloom, a few days ahead of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Lapins Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Lapins Sweet Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Lapins Sweet Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 450 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 600. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. One of the lowest-chill sweet cherries. It's also an early bloomer, so in Montana give it a spot with good cold-air drainage. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#lapins-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Lapins Sweet Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 25 to Aug 6 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Lapins Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Lapins Sweet Cherry onto Mazzard (full size), which makes a tree roughly 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Mahaleb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Lapins Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Lapins Sweet Cherry are fresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Lapins Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Lapins Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539685314626,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539688460354,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":45152014794818,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":45152014827586,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/lapins-sweet-cherry-on-tree.webp?v=1789020421"},{"product_id":"montmorency-tart-cherry","title":"Montmorency Tart Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montmorency Tart Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a tart cherry), and it ripens about Jul 22 to Aug 3 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 950). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Montmorency is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. A second tart cherry nearby is not required. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry-bundle-of-3-3l736\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eBalaton Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 22 to Aug 3 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCanning and freezing (9\/10), drying (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (9\/10), sauce and butter (9\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4953\" data-end=\"4967\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4968\" data-end=\"5348\"\u003eOne of the most famous tart cherries and most widely grown in the US, Montmorency is thought to have originated in the Montmorency Valley just north of Paris, where it was named after a noble family that had grown it since the 13th century. French settlers moving up the St. Lawrence River Valley toward the Great Lakes brought it to the New World around 1760, or perhaps earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5350\" data-end=\"5901\"\u003eAlthough the literature on Montmorency does not indicate why Montmorency was imported from Europe over other cultivars, we suspect it was because of its cold hardiness. Given how much more temperate Europe is generally speaking than Canada, around the Great Lakes, and other northern areas where Montmorency was first grown, it is likely that many of the other tart cherry cultivars did not survive harsher winters. Meanwhile, we have seen Montmorency growing in cuspy zone 3\/4 areas. Still not as hardy as meteor, and certainly not as hardy as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvan's Bali\u003c\/a\u003e or the dwarf cherries, though, for Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"5903\" data-end=\"5923\"\u003eFlavor and Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"6249\"\u003eThe Montmorency fruit sweetens as it ripens, but remains fairly tart for most people to eat out of hand. However, its flavor and tartness makes for spectacular dried cherries. Plant in conjunction with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e, which is less tart (albeit still a tart cherry), and complements the Montmorency in terms of uses. Hardy to zone 3b, or roughly -35F (possibly -40F in protected sites).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Perfect Cluster” by 26.3andBeyond, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/152376767@N03\/35211992024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Montmorency cherries (3648681426)” by Martha Dol., via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Montmorency_cherries_(3648681426).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Montmorency Sour Cherry Blossoms DSC 7916” by Dick Thompson Sandian, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/32234827@N03\/26363452781\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Montmorency Tart Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Montmorency Tart Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Montmorency Tart Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Montmorency is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. A second tart cherry nearby is not required. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Montmorency Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Montmorency Tart Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Montmorency Tart Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 950. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Montana winters satisfy it easily; spring frost at bloom is the real risk for tart cherries. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Montmorency Tart Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 22 to Aug 3 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Montmorency Tart Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Montmorency Tart Cherry onto Mahaleb (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Montmorency Tart Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Montmorency Tart Cherry are canning and freezing (9\/10), drying (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (9\/10), sauce and butter (9\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Montmorency Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Montmorency Tart Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42500893442114,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Semi-Standard: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500893474882,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/montmorency-tart-cherries-cluster.jpg?v=1791617260"},{"product_id":"jan-bush-cherry","title":"Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jan Bush Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer, and it ripens about Aug 30 to Sep 7 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 300 hours (250 to 600). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jan-bush-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Jan needs a different bush cherry nearby to fruit well. Plant it with Joel or Joy, since two Jan plants are the same variety. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#bush-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 4 to 5 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-12\". Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"14\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"362\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eJan Bush Cherry is one of the three “Meader Bush Cherries” (Jan, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e) developed by University of New Hampshire plant breeder Elwyn Meader. It’s commonly listed botanically as Prunus japonica × Prunus jacquemontii, bred to make a compact, shrub-sized tart cherry for small spaces and colder-climate gardens (more shrub than tree).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"390\" data-start=\"364\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"627\" data-start=\"391\"\u003eJan produces tart, sour-cherry-type fruit that’s best used like a pie cherry: pies, jam, sauce, juice, and baking. That said, they're a little sweeter than your typical \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency tart cherry\u003c\/a\u003e (probably comparable in sweetness to a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e). When we tried them when they were perfectly ripe the first week of Sept. in 2025, they were good fresh eating, although I do like a little tartness. Most descriptions group it in the “Montmorency-style” use category—good kitchen fruit rather than a sweet dessert cherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"657\" data-start=\"629\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"983\" data-start=\"658\"\u003eJan grows as a dense, compact bush, typically around 3–5 feet tall and wide depending on site and age. A practical spacing is 4–5 feet apart (closer for a hedge, wider for easier picking and airflow). It’s well suited to edible landscaping and can be kept tidy with light pruning and occasional renewal of older wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1005\" data-start=\"985\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1656\" data-start=\"1006\"\u003eThere is no widely cited, extension-published single “survives down to ___°F” number for Jan specifically. Listings vary, so we're listing it as hardy to zone 3b (-35°F), with performance below that depending heavily on site exposure, snow cover, wind, fall acclimation, and plant health.\u003cbr data-end=\"1453\" data-start=\"1450\"\u003eIf you’re planting anywhere colder than that, plan on microclimate advantages (wind protection, good snow catch, avoiding frost pockets) and treat it as a trial rather than a guaranteed performer. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1675\" data-start=\"1658\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1896\" data-start=\"1676\"\u003eJan is generally described as benefiting from cross-pollination. Planting it with one of the other Meader bush cherries (commonly \u003cstrong data-end=\"1817\" data-start=\"1810\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-end=\"1829\" data-start=\"1821\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/strong\u003e) is often recommended to improve fruit set, yield, and fruit size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1933\" data-start=\"1898\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2276\" data-start=\"1934\"\u003eA major advantage of the Meader bush cherries is that they ripen which can reduce bird pressure compared to earlier cherries in some locations. They also offer strong ornamental value: spring bloom, compact form, and useful fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Jan Bush Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Jan Bush Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Jan Bush Cherry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Jan needs a different bush cherry nearby to fruit well. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e, since two Jan plants are the same variety. Partners we carry include Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2), Joy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Jan Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Jan Bush Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Jan Bush Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 600. That comes from published figures for this variety. Low chill need, an estimated 250 to 350 hours. Montana winters cover that many times over; winter hardiness is the real limit. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Jan Bush Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Jan Bush Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Jan Bush Cherry are jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Jan Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Jan Bush Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Jan Bush Cherry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 6-12\". We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"6-12\"","offer_id":42499288236098,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/jan-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"joel-bush-cherry","title":"Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Joel Bush Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer, and it ripens about Aug 30 to Sep 7 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 300 hours (250 to 600). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#joel-bush-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Joel crops best with a different bush cherry nearby, so plant Jan or Joy with it. Two Joel plants are the same variety and do not count as a pair. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#bush-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 4 to 5 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-12\". Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"14\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"463\" data-start=\"15\"\u003eJoel Bush Cherry is one of the three Meader Bush Cherries (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e, Joel, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e) developed by University of New Hampshire plant breeder Elwyn Meader. These cherries were bred to create compact, shrub-form tart cherries suited to small spaces and cooler climates. Joel is generally described botanically as part of the Prunus japonica × Prunus jacquemontii hybrid group and is grown more as a fruiting shrub than a traditional cherry tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"491\" data-start=\"465\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"845\" data-start=\"492\"\u003eJoel produces tart, sour-cherry-type fruit intended primarily for kitchen use rather than fresh dessert eating. That said, as we have said for Jan as well, Joel is sweeter than \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency tart cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and probably on par in terms of sweetness with other tart cherries such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e. Flavor is almost identical to Jan. Maybe people say otherwise. Ripened around the same time as Jan (first week of Sept.) in Missoula, MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"875\" data-start=\"847\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1241\" data-start=\"876\"\u003eJoel grows as a compact, dense bush, typically reaching \u003cstrong data-end=\"958\" data-start=\"932\"\u003e3–5 feet tall and wide\u003c\/strong\u003e at maturity. Its shrub-like habit makes it easy to manage and appropriate for edible landscapes, hedgerows, and small gardens. A practical spacing is \u003cstrong data-end=\"1127\" data-start=\"1109\"\u003e4–5 feet apart\u003c\/strong\u003e, with wider spacing improving airflow and ease of harvest, and closer spacing possible for hedge-style plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1263\" data-start=\"1243\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1876\" data-start=\"1264\"\u003eAs with the other Meader bush cherries, there is no single, formally published minimum extreme temperature. Most places list zone 4 but a handful say zone 3. We rate it zone 3b, which means reliable survival down to about \u003cstrong data-end=\"1624\" data-start=\"1615\"\u003e-35°F\u003c\/strong\u003e for established plants, with performance below that threshold depending heavily on site conditions, snow cover, wind exposure, and fall acclimation. Anywhere colder than that, treat Joel as a trial shrub unless you've got a favorable microclimate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1895\" data-start=\"1878\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2171\" data-start=\"1896\"\u003eJoel benefits from \u003cstrong data-end=\"1936\" data-start=\"1915\"\u003ecross-pollination\u003c\/strong\u003e and is commonly paired with the other Meader bush cherries, particularly \u003cstrong data-end=\"2017\" data-start=\"2010\"\u003eJan\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-end=\"2028\" data-start=\"2021\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/strong\u003e, to improve fruit set and yield. Planting more than one cultivar within this group generally results in better and more consistent production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2208\" data-start=\"2173\"\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"2638\" data-start=\"2209\"\u003eJoel, like the other Meader bush cherries, ripens in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2277\" data-start=\"2262\"\u003elate summer\u003c\/strong\u003e, often later than many standard cherry varieties. Its compact form, combined with useful fruit, makes it a practical choice for growers prioritizing space efficiency and manageable maintenance over large tree size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Joel Bush Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Joel Bush Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Joel Bush Cherry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Joel crops best with a different bush cherry nearby, so plant \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eJoy\u003c\/a\u003e with it. Two Joel plants are the same variety and do not count as a pair. Partners we carry include Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2), Joy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Joel Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Joel Bush Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Joel Bush Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 600. That comes from published figures for this variety. Low chill need, an estimated 250 to 350 hours. Montana winters cover that many times over; winter hardiness is the real limit. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Joel Bush Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 30 to Sep 7 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Joel Bush Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Joel Bush Cherry are jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Joel Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Joel Bush Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Joel Bush Cherry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 6-12\". We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"6-12\"","offer_id":42499634593858,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/joel-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"white-gold-sweet-cherry","title":"White Gold Sweet Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e White Gold Sweet Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a sweet cherry), and it ripens about Jul 13 to Jul 25 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 1,000). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. White Gold is self-fertile and does not need a partner. It blooms a little after Bing and Rainier but overlaps them enough to be a useful pollenizer, and its pollen works on every sweet cherry. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goldcherry-4aefh\"\u003eGold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 2 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sweet-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eSweet Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 13 to Jul 25 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMahaleb: full size, about 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Loves dry, well-drained soil. Plant 18 to 22 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Regular Grade or 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold is a self-fertile sweet cherry selected for growers who want \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier\u003c\/a\u003e-style color and eating quality, but with a tree that is generally more dependable in tougher, wetter, and more disease-prone cherry climates. It’s widely regarded as one of the most broadly “all-around” light-fleshed sweet cherries: productive, good flavor, and notably tolerant of two of the biggest sweet-cherry problems in the North and Northeast—bacterial canker and cherry leaf spot. It has also been sold under the name Newfane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold was developed in the Cornell\/NYSAES sweet cherry breeding program in Geneva, New York and released as NY 13688. Its documented parentage is Emperor Francis × \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stella-cherry\"\u003eStella\u003c\/a\u003e, which is why it combines classic light-fleshed sweet-cherry traits with self-fertility. It was introduced in 2001.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold produces yellow fruit with a red blush and white to very pale flesh, generally in the midseason window. Fruit quality is consistently described as high, with very good sweet-cherry flavor and firm texture for fresh eating. Its tolerance to rain-induced cracking is commonly rated as intermediate—better than Rainier, not as good as the most crack-tolerant cultivars—so it’s still wise to prioritize siting, airflow, and canopy management in wet-summer locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn full-size rootstock, White Gold is a vigorous sweet cherry that benefits from early training to build strong scaffold angles and maintain an open canopy. Like other sweet cherries, it performs best when managed for sunlight penetration and airflow, which supports fruit quality and helps reduce disease pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer White Gold on full size Mazzard rootstock. For Mazzard, a reliable long-term spacing is about 18–22 feet between trees, depending on soil vigor and how aggressively you plan to manage canopy size. If you want a bigger, lower-maintenance tree over time, push wider; if you plan consistent summer pruning and renewal to keep trees tighter, you can use the lower end of that range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold is self-fertile, so it does not require a pollenizer to set fruit. However, additional sweet cherries nearby often improve consistency and yield. Sweet cherries to pair with White Gold include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, Stella, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lapins-cherry\"\u003eLapins\u003c\/a\u003e. White Gold is commonly treated as a strong pollination partner because it is self-fertile and blooms in the early-to-early-mid portion of the sweet cherry bloom season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet cherry hardiness is not a single fixed number: it changes through winter as trees acclimate, and it can be rapidly lost during warm spells (deacclimation). This happens more readily with sweet cherries than say apples. The duration of cold also matters—brief pre-dawn lows can be survivable where many hours or days at the same temperature would cause much greater injury, especially to flower buds.\u003cbr\u003eIn our Montana experience, we used to list White Gold as the second-hardiest sweet cherry after Gold, but we have revised that over time. Based on years of experience and customer observations, we now believe Lapins is the second hardiest in our lineup, having survived down to or very close to -38°F in the Bitterroot (Stevensville, MT) on 1\/13\/24, which is about what Gold can withstand, although Gold may push even colder (potentially near -40°F) under the right conditions. White Gold was not at that same site. However, we have seen White Gold show real vulnerability to early-season cold before full dormancy: a sharp fall frost on 10\/25\/20 that reached -10°F wiped our White Golds, while some Gold trees were okay. That event is a strong reminder that timing of cold (hardening-off status) can matter as much as the absolute low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite Gold is notable historically as the first commercially released self-fertile light-fleshed sweet cherry in the U.S., which is a big reason it remains relevant for small orchards and home growers who only have room for one sweet cherry. On disease, the most defensible claim for White Gold is not “disease-proof,” but that it has unusually good tolerance to cherry leaf spot and bacterial canker relative to many sweet cherries, which is one of the main reasons it’s been recommended for more humid and disease-prone regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about White Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes White Gold Sweet Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. White Gold Sweet Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. White Gold is self-fertile and does not need a partner. It blooms a little after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bing-cherry\"\u003eBing\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainier-cherry\"\u003eRainier\u003c\/a\u003e but overlaps them enough to be a useful pollenizer, and its pollen works on every sweet cherry. Partners we carry include Bing Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-gold-cherry-1\"\u003eBlack Gold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eGold Sweet Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is White Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate White Gold Sweet Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does White Gold Sweet Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Chill won't limit White Gold in Montana. Its early-mid bloom and its sensitivity to hard freezes before full dormancy matter more. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#white-gold-sweet-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does White Gold Sweet Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 13 to Jul 25 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does White Gold Sweet Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft White Gold Sweet Cherry onto Mahaleb (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it. Plant 18 to 22 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is White Gold Sweet Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for White Gold Sweet Cherry are fresh eating (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat White Gold Sweet Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect White Gold Sweet Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Regular Grade (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539742134338,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mahaleb Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539742167106,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/white-gold-sweet-cherry-on-tree.png?v=1789021327"},{"product_id":"meteor-tart-cherry","title":"Meteor Tart Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Meteor Tart Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a tart cherry), and it ripens about Jul 30 to Aug 9 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (650 to 1,000). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Meteor is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms with Montmorency and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvans Bali\u003c\/a\u003e if you want to plant more than one. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry-bundle-of-3-3l736\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eBalaton Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 30 to Aug 9 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMazzard: full size, about 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Slow to bear, often 5 to 6 years. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), drying (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. One Year Older Larger \u0026amp; More Branching. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteor is a tart (sour) cherry introduced in 1952 by the University of Minnesota fruit breeding program at Excelsior, Minnesota. It was developed for cold climates and later ripening than \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtension and pomology references describe Meteor as a cross of Montmorency × a Russian-type selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteor produces medium-sized, bright red tart cherries with clear juice and semi-firm flesh, ripening about a week after Montmorency (typically around early August here in Missoula, MT). It’s typically positioned as a kitchen\/processing cherry for pies, baking, sauce, preserves, and juice. But in our experience, they make dried cherries just as good as Montmorency. One extension note also mentions it’s not ideal for commercial processing because the pit can behave poorly during pitting in some settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteor is widely sold as a naturally smaller tart cherry tree (often described around the 10–12 ft class in home-orchard contexts), with an upright to spreading habit. A practical spacing for a small tart cherry like this is commonly 10–12 ft (wider if you want more airflow and less pruning pressure). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeteor is as self-fruitful (self-fertile). Even so, tart cherries often crop heavier with another tart cherry nearby that blooms at a similar time. Will cross with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvan's Bali tart cherry\u003c\/a\u003e or even the dwarf cherries. Could also cross with the less hardy \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e\/Montmorency, although if you're planting this due to its adaptability to the cold, plant with either Evan's or the dwarf cherries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a concrete mid-winter extreme figure, Meteor can tolerate down to about -40°F when fully dormant. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Meteor itself. Photos of Meteor are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Sauerkirschen” by Kai-Martin Knaak, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sauerkirschen.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e. Other photo: “PI 592848 Meteor (Prunus cerasus), 2013 immature fruit” by USDA ARS National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1507034\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Meteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Meteor Tart Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Meteor Tart Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Meteor is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvans Bali\u003c\/a\u003e if you want to plant more than one. Partners we carry include Evan's Bali Tart Cherry, Montmorency Tart Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fe-tart-cherry\"\u003eFE Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Meteor Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Meteor Tart Cherry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Meteor Tart Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 650 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. It was bred in Minnesota, and it blooms about a week after Montmorency, which helps it slip past spring frosts. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Meteor Tart Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 30 to Aug 9 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Meteor Tart Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Meteor Tart Cherry onto Mazzard (full size), which makes a tree roughly 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Meteor Tart Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Meteor Tart Cherry are pies and baking (8\/10), drying (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Meteor Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Meteor Tart Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. One Year Older Larger \u0026 More Branching (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":42539794104386,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/tart-cherries-on-branch-representative.jpg?v=1791615966"},{"product_id":"joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2","title":"Joy Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Joy Bush Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable, and it ripens about Aug 29 to Sep 8 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 300 hours (250 to 600). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Joy can set some fruit on its own, but crops are better with Jan or Joel planted nearby. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#bush-cherry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 8 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-12\". Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"21\" data-end=\"42\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"325\"\u003eJoy Bush Cherry is part of the cold-hardy bush cherry group developed for northern climates, selected for reliability, productivity, and good fruit quality on a compact plant. These bush cherries draw heavily from hardy Prunus genetics adapted to prairie and continental conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"352\"\u003ePlant Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eJoy forms a low, multi-stemmed shrub, typically staying in the 6–8 foot range (often similar in spread). It is naturally dense and easy to manage without ladders, making it a great fit for small orchards, hedgerows, and home landscapes. Like other bush cherries, it bears fruit along shorter lateral growth and spur-like wood once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"718\"\u003eLeaves \u0026amp; Flowers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"719\" data-end=\"946\"\u003eLeaves are medium-sized and healthy green through the season. In spring, Joy produces abundant white blossoms that are showy and fragrant. Flowering and fruit set are generally strong once plants are established and well-sited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"948\" data-end=\"969\"\u003eFruit Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"970\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003eJoy produces clusters of round, red cherries sized well for the bush cherry class. Fruit color deepens as it approaches full maturity, and the crop is typically easy to harvest because of the compact plant form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1203\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Texture\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1413\"\u003eIn Missoula, Montana, Joy tends to come on around the same time as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e, often ripening in the early September window. In our September 2025 tasting, Joy, Jan, and Joel were all very similar in flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"2163\"\u003eOne reason these can taste more alike in the early years is that young plants are still building canopy and root capacity, and fruit quality can be strongly influenced by crop load and resource balance. When fruit load is high relative to leaf area and sunlight exposure, fruit-to-fruit competition can reduce sugar accumulation and depress overall flavor intensity. Thinning and better light distribution are commonly used to improve fruit quality in tree fruits for exactly this reason. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"2163\"\u003eAs plants mature, they often support a larger, better-lit canopy and a more stable balance between vegetative growth and fruiting, which can translate to more consistent ripening and clearer differences between cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2165\" data-end=\"2193\"\u003eProductivity \u0026amp; Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2194\" data-end=\"2526\"\u003eJoy is productive once established and is well suited to fairly cold climates. It's hardy to zone 3b, down to -35F, although some places list it hardier to zone 3. The bush form also tends to be resilient: if a winter is rough, multi-stemmed plants can recover and continue to bear. With good siting and adequate adequate moisture, bush cherries generally perform well with modest disease pressure in cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Joy Bush Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Joy Bush Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Joy Bush Cherry is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Joy can set some fruit on its own, but crops are better with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/jan-bush-cherry\"\u003eJan\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/joel-bush-cherry\"\u003eJoel\u003c\/a\u003e planted nearby. Partners we carry include Jan Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2), Joel Bush Cherry (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Joy Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Joy Bush Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Joy Bush Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 600. That comes from published figures for this variety. Low chill need, an estimated 250 to 350 hours. Montana winters cover that many times over; winter hardiness is the real limit. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#joy-bush-cherry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Joy Bush Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 8 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Joy Bush Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Joy Bush Cherry are jams and jellies (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Joy Bush Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Joy Bush Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Joy Bush Cherry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 6-12\". We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"6-12\"","offer_id":42547497599042,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/joy-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"balaton-tart-cherry","title":"Balaton Tart Cherry (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Balaton Tart Cherry is a cherry tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a tart cherry), and it ripens about Jul 29 to Aug 10 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (600 to 900). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), mid spring here. Balaton is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms a little ahead of Montmorency and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvans Bali\u003c\/a\u003e. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry-bundle-of-3-3l736\"\u003eEvan's Bali Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e and 1 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tart-cherry-pollination-map\"\u003eTart Cherry Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 29 to Aug 10 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMazzard: full size, about 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall unpruned. Slow to bear, often 5 to 6 years. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (10\/10), jams and jellies (9\/10), brandy and liqueurs (9\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), drying (8\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew for Spring 2027! These are the best pie cherries we have ever had!\u003c\/strong\u003e Balaton (Újfehértói Fürtös) is a Hungarian dark tart cherry, and it is one of the clonal landrace pie cherries out of Hungary, the same group as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube\u003c\/a\u003e and Erde Jubileum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOur Take\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe had grown both Danube and Erde Jubileum and thought highly of them, but we had not tried Balaton until this year. Balaton may take the cake. These cherries have real size and real flavor, and the flesh is a deep burgundy rather than the pale flesh of a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e. They made the best cherry pie we have had, and the best looking one, too. Hardy to zone 3b (to about -35°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom a Hungarian Village to Michigan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hungarian name means \"the bunched one of Újfehértó,\" after the village in far eastern Hungary where it was collected and the way the fruit hangs in clusters. It went on to become the most widely planted sour cherry in Hungary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Amy Iezzoni, a cherry breeder at Michigan State University, came across it there in the early 1980s while hunting for tart cherries that bloomed later and could dodge late spring freezes. She brought it to the US in 1984. Nobody here was going to pronounce Újfehértói Fürtös, so it was named after Lake Balaton, and Michigan State and the Hungarian institutes released it together in 1998.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: large and plump for a tart cherry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: dark red skin, with burgundy flesh and juice all the way through\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlavor: sweeter than Montmorency, with a deeper, almost wine-like cherry flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTexture: firm, so it holds its shape in a pie instead of cooking down to mush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat color carries into everything you make with it, which is why the pie looked so good. It's just as good for jam, juice, drying and cherry liqueur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Balaton Tart Cherry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Balaton Tart Cherry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Balaton Tart Cherry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Balaton is self-fertile, so one tree will crop on its own. It blooms a little ahead of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/montmorency-tart-cherry\"\u003eMontmorency\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/evans-bali-tart-cherry\"\u003eEvans Bali\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danube-cherry\"\u003eDanube Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e, Evan's Bali Tart Cherry, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/meteor-tart-cherry\"\u003eMeteor Tart Cherry\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Balaton Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Balaton Tart Cherry hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Balaton Tart Cherry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 900. That comes from published figures for this variety. That's about the same as Montmorency. Montana winters cover it easily; spring frost on the blossoms is the real risk. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#balaton-tart-cherry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Balaton Tart Cherry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 29 to Aug 10 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Balaton Tart Cherry get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Balaton Tart Cherry onto Mazzard (full size), which makes a tree roughly 25 to 35 ft (sweet cherry), 15 to 18 ft (tart cherry) tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Balaton Tart Cherry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Balaton Tart Cherry are pies and baking (10\/10), jams and jellies (9\/10), brandy and liqueurs (9\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Balaton Tart Cherry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Balaton Tart Cherry with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45191724171330,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Mazzard Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45191724204098,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/BalatonTartCherry.jpg?v=1789173522"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/joel-bush-cherry-in-hand.jpg?v=1792787535","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/zone-3-cherry-trees.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}